City security staff strong and determined in strike over pay

City security staff strong and determined in strike over pay

Security staff at Community Safety Glasgow say they are standing firm against cuts of up to £4,000 in their take-home pay.

Around 30 members of the Unite trade union started strike action today on Wednesday 7 September. It is set to continue until Sunday 11 September.

The staff make sure that schools, libraries and sports centres are safe and secure.

The Unite security staff are taking part in a wider industrial dispute that involves around 140 members of the Unite, GMB and Unison trade unions. The workers do a range of jobs and include advocacy workers, community payback workers, community enforcement officers, community enhancement workers, security officers and CCTV workers.

Community Safety Glasgow is proposing to slash shift allowances for their workers - paying far less than Glasgow city council. The nightshift payment in the council is almost double that which CSG intends to pay. Some workers are facing a pay cut of up to £4,000 per year.

Unite regional officer William McGonigle said: “The spirit of our members on strike today was strong and determined. These are people who work hard to make sure that Glasgow’s public buildings are safe and secure – and they deserve fair pay.

“Even at this late stage, we urge Community Safety Glasgow to stop attacking its hard-working staff, and to work with us to make sure that our members receive fairness and equality in their shift allowances.”

A lobby for fair shift allowances will be held by all three unions outside Glasgow City Chambers at 12 noon on Friday 9 September.

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Unite Scotland media officer David Eyre on 07960 451631. Email david.eyre@unitetheunion.org